Submitted by Sandy Elder, Michigan
Idea posted December 19, 2001
Here's an idea that I used with upper elementary to learn note names.
Make a giant staff on the floor using velcro or tape. Be sure the spaces are far enough apart for a plate to fit without touching the lines. Add treble clef and bar lines at each end. As kids enter, give them one plate, alternating colors in a pattern. Kids with the same color plates sit together. Have teams each choose a captain.
WALK THE NOTES
Choose 3-5 notes to focus on (space notes, BAG, etc.). Using paper plates, the teacher puts down all the notes to be learned from left to right. Pick up one plate and teach its name. Talk about where it's located, have kids verbalize it, etc.
Game: Have kids in color groups play follow-the-captain across the entire staff, walking the note as the teacher continually/rhythmically says its name. If they touch any other note, they're "out" and have sit to the side.
Scoring: One point is awarded for each kid that makes it across. Teach another note. Play again, but this time the teacher can say either note and change while the team is walking. Score again. Continue until all the notes are taught and walked.
READ THE PLATES
Kids sit together within teams. The teams take turns writing "songs" with their plates (left to right, spaced out evenly) for the other team(s) to read (sing, say note names, or play flutes/bells). If there are three or more teams, have them rotate turns. For example; orange team writes, yellow team reads; yellow team writes next, red team reads; red team writes next, orange team reads; etc.
Scoring: Five points are awarded for accurate reading of the notes. Three points are awarded for full participation but not quite perfect reading. Zero points if somebody wasn't participating.
SIT ON THE NOTE
I'm still working on this one, but it'll be something where I'll say a note or pattern of notes, and they'll have to write it by sitting on the notes with their teammates.